Information provided by Bovington HIVE
September 15, 2026
Blandford: Garrison cinema movie 'Pressure' - Wed 16th Sep
Food and drink available to purchase at the door.
Ticket prices
Adult (15+) £4
Adult (15+) £4
Child £3
family ticket £11
Senior (60+) £3
Student £3
Senior (60+) £3
Student £3
For more information and to watch trailers click https://cinemas.bfbs.com/blandford
Blandford: Garrison housing drop in session - Wed 16th Sept
If you are experiencing any issues or have concerns with your service families accommodation and would like to speak to someone in person, you're welcome to drop in to the Pinnacle housing office on Mudros Road. (Blandford Camp), no appointment necessary.
Housing drop inn - 1st & 3rd Wednesday of every month. 0900 - 1200hrs.
You can also report an issue with your SFA by calling 0800 031 8628 or send an email to hello@pinnacleservicefamilies.co.uk
Information provided by Bovington HIVE
Blandford: Garrison cinema movie 'Practical Magic' Tues 15th & Thurs 17th Sep
Food and drink available to purchase at the door.
Ticket prices
Adult (15+) £4
Adult (15+) £4
Child £3
family ticket £11
Senior (60+) £3
Student £3
Senior (60+) £3
Student £3
For more information and to watch trailers click https://cinemas.bfbs.com/blandford
Gloucestershire: County Council updates September 2026
Please click the links below for the relevant update newsletters, and note that new updates will be included as the month goes on:
- Families In Partnership - for Families with SEND
- Employment & Skills Hub latest news, updates and opportunities
- Exciting Gloucestershire Libraries updates and events
- Latest news and updates from Gloucestershire Recycles
- 'Greener Gloucestershire' latest updates and information
- Gloucestershire celebrates the launch of the County's first 'Best Start Family Hub'
- Family Hubs network helping more Gloucestershire families receive support
Information provided by Lyneham HIVE
Weeton: HomeStart Free Baby & Toddler Shop - Tuesday 6th October 2026
Small toys, books, baby clothes - aimed at ages 0-5.
Information provided by Weeton HIVE
Department for Work & Pensions update: Do you know your state pension age?
As State Pension entitlement is linked to National Insurance contributions, the Service community are reminded that spouses or civil partners who accompanied their Serving partner on an overseas assignment can complete a Gov.uk online form to request that NI credits are applied to their record for time spent overseas. For further information, eligibility criteria and the online form, please go to: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-insurance-credits-for-partners-of-armed-forces-personnel-overseas
Department for Work & Pensions update: Do you know your state pension age?
As State Pension entitlement is linked to National Insurance contributions, the Service community are reminded that spouses or civil partners who accompanied their Serving partner on an overseas assignment can complete a Gov.uk online form to request that NI credits are applied to their record for time spent overseas. For further information, eligibility criteria and the online form, please go to: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-insurance-credits-for-partners-of-armed-forces-personnel-overseas
Department for Work & Pensions: Latest news updates
Loved ones of asbestos and dust-disease victims to receive fairer compensation
Families who have lost loved ones to asbestos and other dust-related diseases will get higher compensation payouts, as part of the Government’s effort to support bereaved families.
Workers who develop asbestos-related and dust-related diseases like mesothelioma and pneumoconiosis caused by their work can claim a one-off payment from the Government if they haven’t already secured compensation from their employer.
This is often the only option available to sufferers, since it can take years for these diseases to develop, meaning the employer responsible has usually gone out of business by the time someone is diagnosed.
However, under the current system the payment is passed to their grieving family at a reduced rate if it is paid after the sufferer dies. New legislation will ensure that dependants will receive the same rate as sufferers, in full.
Read the press release
*The MOD War Pension Scheme also provides for asbestos exposure claims attributable to Service, such as Diffuse Mesothelioma. See https://www.gov.uk/guidance/help-for-veterans-diagnosed-with-diffuse-mesothelioma
Major work experience drive for young people
Young people will be given vital work experience opportunities thanks to a major initiative between government and Britain’s leading retailers – with the ambition to create up to 100,000 jobs by the end of the Parliament.
Alongside the sector’s ambitions of creating 100,000 jobs, the British Retail Consortium and DWP are launching a new work experience programme, Opening Shift, which will see 18-24-year-olds looking for work offered two to four weeks of hands-on experience as part of more than 11,000 placements with Britain’s biggest retailers, including Tesco, John Lewis, Waitrose, Curry’s and Costa Coffee, complete with dedicated workplace support and interview experience.
The DWP will manage the pipeline of eligible young Universal Credit customers who will be referred to the voluntary programme through jobcentres, and the retailers will provide the placements and wider support, with 16 to 35 hours of work experience provided each week for two to four weeks.
They could be offered a permanent role if one is available, be put on the retailer’s talent bank, or directed towards apprenticeship and other opportunities.
Read the press release
Pension Awareness Week 2026
As part of Pension Awareness Week, Pension Geeks is offering free online events, including a session on how MoneyHelper can help you. Visit the Pension Awareness Week website for more information.
Defence update: Remembrance weekend - free rail travel for bereaved families
For the first time, one close family member of someone who died in Service can travel for free on National Rail services. This applies to journeys to Remembrance events between 7 and 8 November 2026.
The family member could be a spouse, partner, parent, child or sibling, who is registered as the nominated next of kin.
This offer now matches the free travel benefits available to Service Personnel and Veterans during Remembrance weekend.
Recognising bereaved families
This new offer will help families join Remembrance services and events, including the Cenotaph, without the cost of travel being a barrier to them attending.
Rail Minister, Lord Hendy, said:
“Remembrance Weekend is a time for the nation to come together to honour those who made the ultimate sacrifice whilst serving our country.
“Bereaved families are at the heart of these commemorations, and the cost of travel should not prevent them from being there to remember their loved ones.
“Extending free rail travel to next of kin will help more families attend Remembrance events, standing alongside communities, veterans and serving members of our Armed Forces as we honour and remember those who served.”
Minister for Veterans and People, Calvin Bailey, said:
“Remembrance is an opportunity for the nation to come together in recognition of the service and sacrifice of our Armed Forces. For bereaved families, this is a deeply personal time.
“We must never forget that behind every name we remember is a family whose lives have been changed forever. Providing free rail travel will help bereaved relatives come together and honour their loved one without financial barriers.”
Mikki Brett is the widow of the late Chief Petty Officer Stuart Brett who served in the Weapons Engineering branch of the Royal Navy and died from cancer while serving, in April 2023.
Speaking with Minister for Veterans and People, Calvin Bailey, Mikki said:
“It's fantastic news that the in-service bereaved have been recognised for the support given to their loved ones, with free train fares to remembrance events this year.”
Mikki is already registered to come to the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday and will be one of the first to benefit from the new travel offer.
Co-CEO of Rail Delivery Group, Ola Ogun said:
"Railways have long been connected to remembrance commemorations, recognising the importance of their contribution during wartime. As an industry, we are proud to continue supporting this important national occasion by offering free travel to serving personnel and veterans.
“This year, we are especially pleased to extend that support to one next of kin of those who died while serving in the Armed Forces recognising not only the sacrifice of those who served, but also the families who continue to carry their legacy and honour their memory.”
Reaching bereaved families
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